Body fluid analysis

Conducting body fluid analysis in order to determine the presence or absence, identity and distribution of particular body fluids is key to the investigation of crimes against the person e.g. rape, assault or murder. The body fluids encountered in these types of cases are usually blood, semen and saliva and in some cases given the severity of the crime urine and faeces.

The correct identification of traces of these fluids at a crime scene or on clothing may be vital to a criminal investigation. The presence or absence of a particular body fluid on clothing, possible weapons, swabs or other items related to a crime scene, may assist a forensic biologist in determining what may have occurred at a crime scene and in identifying the persons that were or were not involved in the perpetration of the crime.

Forensic biologists

Body fluid analysis - case example

A man is arrested and charged with rape, having been accused by a work colleague who said that he raped her, following an after-work drinking session. He admits to being intimate with her after having too much to drink, but denies that any penetrative sexual intercourse ever took place.

How can our forensic biologist assist the defence counsel?

Our forensic biologists have many years of experience in testing and analysing the following body fluids:

Blood analysis

Semen analysis

Saliva analysis

Sweat analysis

Vaginal material analysis

Urine analysis

Faeces analysis

Our forensic biologists can:

Review the findings of the prosecution scientist, if one has been involved.

Re-examine the clothing of the accused and the victim, in the light of any DNA results obtained, to try to determine whether or not any DNA found can be directly attributed to the key body fluid of the accused, in this case semen.

Analyse the distribution of any body fluids found on the clothing of the alleged victim and the accused to see whether or not it coincides with the victim’s or the accused version of events.

Appear as an expert witness should the case go to trial, where they will ensure that the true value of the prosecution’s evidence is explained in a clear and credible manner, with other possible interpretations put forward for the benefit of the court.